I just watched the new Steven Universe episode “Familiar” and I think I see where this is headed. The Diamonds’ sweat is what makes gems. Pink’s disappearance and the Diamonds’ relations falling apart is what caused Era 2 to be short in resources for gem production. Sorry if someone has posted similar ideas by now!
Evidence:
Yellow Diamond’s sauna is called the “Extraction Room”
When Yellow is done using it, she forces off her sweat and a drain collects it
Similar thing happens in Blue’s chamber
Blue Diamond tells Steven that all four Diamonds used to relax together in the spa, but that all stopped when Pink was gone
Blue says Pink’s shattering marked the beginning of Era 2
When Steven sweats on Pink’s rock garden thing, it animates a rock into a Pebble
My theory: The Diamonds’ secretions are what give new gems life; it’s more than likely collected and used inside the injectors in Kindergartens. The Diamonds no longer coming together like a family is why gem production is more difficult and Era 2 gems are less advanced.
“-No. We stopped coming here together after you left. That was the start of Era 2. No one wants to be here, not with your empty spot. It was so quiet!”
